Overview & Reviews

For the most part, the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is identical to the Lancer sedan, which means aggressive, shark-nosed styling, agile handling and an ample amount of available features. Yet its hatchback body style lends an added degree of practicality thanks to the increased cargo capacity that comes with its extended roof line.

However, the Sportback also comes saddled with the Lancer's drawbacks that include subpar fuel economy, a general lack of refinement and a cabin that's rather plain and downmarket compared to what's seen in rival hatchbacks. Its many available luxury, convenience and electronics features that were once rare for the class are also increasingly par for the course. So while the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback can be an attractive, practical and enjoyable little runabout, we suggest that you consider other alternatives.

Current Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is offered in ES and GT trim levels. The base ES gets a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The sportier GT gets a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 168 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque. Both these trims get standard front-wheel drive and a standard five-speed manual transmission, while a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional. The CVT features a manual mode with simulated gear ratios operated via paddle shifters.

The Lancer Sportback offers many high-tech features (either as standard or optional), though these are increasingly becoming common in the compact segment. Examples include keyless ignition/entry, automatic climate control, a touchscreen navigation system, hard drive music storage, Bluetooth connectivity and Mitsubishi's Fuse voice-activated controls. Driver comfort is compromised by the lack of a telescoping steering column, but rear seat comfort is at least very good, with a useful amount of legroom. With the seats up, the Sportback offers 13.8 cubic feet of storage. Maximum cargo capacity is either 47 cubic feet with the Ralliart or 52.7 cubes with the GT.

Our seat time in the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback has revealed sporty handling and a strong appreciation for the potent Rockford Fosgate hard-drive-equipped audio system. The base ES is a little on the mundane side, but the GT version is likely sporty enough for most folks thanks to its peppy performance (especially with the manual gearbox) and solid composure through the corners. Unfortunately, the Lancer's lack of refinement, subpar fuel economy and disappointing interior quality make it less desirable than other compact hatchbacks.

Used Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Models
The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback was added to the Lancer lineup for 2010, but in that first year it was only available as the GTS and Ralliart. The latter featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged-4 (237 hp and 253 lb-ft), an automated dual-clutch manual transmission with shift paddles, and all-wheel drive. Both were discontinued after 2011, though the current GT is pretty similar to the GTS. The Mitsubishi Fuse system was also unavailable in the first year.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 53.00

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  Great wagon - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By mbm99 - December 4 - 11:43 am

  I just purchased this leftover, brand new 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart. I have no complaints at all after my first 600 miles. Its fuel economy could be better (23 city / 30 highway), for a 4-cylinder car, but its much better than the Dodge Durango that I tradedin for it. This is a much nicer vehicle than the Mazda3 or Toyota Matrix that I was considering before I found it.

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  greaat car but... - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By mr.joshua - September 2 - 4:46 pm

  i had my 2010 lancer gts sportback for a week and i started to hear grinding noise coming from the engine; then the low oil pressure light came on. so i had my car towed in to the dealer. they told me oil pump went out, short engine block needed to be replaced, and an over laping valve. omg!!!!!! a brand new car right off the truck with only 2 miles has all those problem. so the dealer has had my car for 2weeks now. i believe and i know mitsubishis cars are reliable i just got the rare 1 -1000 but overall its a great car and i cant wait to get it back.

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  Good Commuter Car - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By Sam - August 13 - 12:30 pm

  This is the first small car Ive owned in many years. Seating and ride comfort good for this size car. Unbelievable power from a non-turbo 4 cyl. Fit finish etc seem top notch, have only put 200 miles on it, so havent checked the gas milage, Im hoping for better than Ive read in other reviews on this site, I drive mostly highway and without a lead foot, I guess well see.

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  Storage and performance - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By Don Andretti - June 21 - 10:20 pm

  I bought this new. The seats are great, the head rests sit perfect so I can leave my head on the head rest while driving. The roof rack is great to hold cargo box. Suspension is stiff enough that the cargo loaded down for camping is forgotten about. I normal drive with a tool box in back and corners and pulls like a sport coupe. I bought this to keep up with my Datsun 280ZX that I still drive. The Sportback will out straight line and corner the Z but will not give you the precise feedback of the Z saying that about a wagon that gets the same MPG as My Z is amazing I now have 66k miles on the Wagon. MPG 29 hy "towing a HondaTRX450R" 26 hy PS this replaced my Dodge D-50 SP 5 sp

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  Update-2-22-06 - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By Ajl - March 11 - 5:53 pm

  In my first review of the car (after just purchasing it) I said I was concerned with reliability. After 30,000 miles in 6 months, my fears have been unfounded so far. I have only made one trip back to the dealer for a minor problem. Its fuel mileage is OK, as mentioned the real culprit is the small fuel tank. I get about 25-27 mpg in the mix of driving I do (usually about 40% city / 60% highway). Paint is irritatingly cheap tough. My car already has lots of swirls and scratches and I generally dont use automatic car washes. As was also mentioned, road noise on the highway above 65 mph in this car is obnoxious. The seats are OK, but were never designed to spend hours in everyday. It does seem to run better on high octane fuel.

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  Very pleased with Sportback LS - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By sevenseas7 - January 28 - 11:16 pm

  Needed more interior space than my Mazda Protege5 offered, which I traded to purchase this car. Paid $2000 below invoice. Tight turning radius, easy to park, ease of entry/exit, roomy interior. Stock stereo sounds good. Feels safer than my Protege5. Currently 1000 miles on odometer. Getting 20mpg city/25mpg highway. Overall Im happy with my purchase.

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  No Complaints with the Ralliart - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By Ralliart in Canada - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a Ralliart about 10 months ago.The staff at Vancouver Mitsubishi,were extremely helpful and unlike other dealerships (eg.Honda,toyota, etc) were not aggressively pushy.They let a good car sell itself.The ralliart is an exceptional car for the money. All the other cars in the class are really just 4 door hatchs with little or no room in the back.My car has enough room for 4 six footers and my 2 mid sized dogs. Not to mention great performance and sound. good job Mitsubishi!!!!

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  Great sports average car - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By joe - August 11 - 1:10 am

  I think its a great car. It has a good looking design. While its not totally up to par with the Mazda3, it is still excellent. The fuel mileage is not the best, but then again its a sports car. Ive been told by the passengers that the room in the back seat is surprisingly spacious. Great stereo system. Feels great to drive

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  Still love it after 10 years - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By niftybergin - March 19 - 9:14 pm

  I just turned over 155,000 miles in my Sportback, bought new in 2004. Have to say that I still love this car! Ive kept up with the annual maintenance, use fully synthetic oil and high-test gas, and it runs great. Smooth and quiet. One major repair -- the A/C -- in all this time. Everything else has just been regular maintenance. Love that it has good pick-up when I need it to and that its got enough power to handle mountainous roads. Even after 10 years and 155K miles, I still get 25 MPG city / 31 MPG hwy.

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  A Real Good Looker - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By Sport Sally - February 18 - 8:16 pm

  This car is more suited for long highway drives with very smooth roads. It is like a horse that needs you to let out its reins. It holds the road well at high speeds and the engine does not even labor a breath - even at 90. However this is not a good city car because of poor gas economy during non-highway driving and hard to park because its wide and not too easy to see behind you because of an excessively slanting hatchback; and the imperfections on city streets shake the whole car making the city ride very unpleasant. Although the highway ride is much better, it is still below average in comfort. The dealer test drove me on a very smooth road. I was unaware of this problem until after buying.